United States Employment Snapshot
In May, among the 50 states and the District of Columbia unemployment fell in 13, rose in 17, and remained unchanged in 21.
The highest unemployment rate was 5.3 percent in District of Columbia, and the lowest was 2 percent in North Dakota and South Dakota. Nationally, the unemployment rate rose by 0.1 percentage point to 4 percent.
In May, payroll jobs rose in 42 states and fell in 9. The largest payroll job percent increase was 0.9 percent in Idaho. The largest payroll job percent decline was 0.3 percent in Minnesota.
Oklahoma Employment Snapshot
In May, Oklahoma lost 400 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 3.5 percent. In the prior month, Oklahoma added 3,100 net payroll jobs.
Over the past 12 months, Oklahoma added 28,800 net payroll jobs and the unemployment rate rose by 0.5 percentage points from 3 percent.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 272,000 in May, or 0.2 percent. Oklahoma is tied for 22nd in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
In May, Oklahoma’s private sector lost 1,000 net private payroll jobs, and over the past 12 months it added 18,600 private payroll jobs. In the prior month, Oklahoma added 3,000 net private payroll jobs.
In May, employment in Oklahoma remained unchanged at 1922694, and over the past 12 months it rose by 24,322.
Oklahoma’s labor force participation rate remained steady at 63.2 percent in May and ranks 24th in the nation. In the past 12 months, the labor force participation rate has risen by 0.4 percentage points.
Oklahoma Payroll Employment
Oklahoma lost 400 net payroll jobs, or 0 percent, on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Oklahoma added 3,100 jobs. Oklahoma nonfarm payroll employment has increased in 10 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, nonfarm payrolls rose by 272,000 in May, or 0.2 percent. Oklahoma is tied for 22nd in the nation for percentage gain in nonfarm payroll employment over the past 12 months.
Oklahoma lost 1,000 private sector jobs, or -0.1 percent. on a seasonally adjusted basis during May. In the prior month, Oklahoma added 3,000 jobs. Oklahoma private sector payroll employment has increased in 10 of the past 12 months.
Nationally, private sector payroll jobs rose by 229,000 jobs in May, or 0.2 percent. Oklahoma is tied for 27th in the nation for percentage gain in private sector payroll employment over the past 12 months.
The best performing sectors on a seasonally adjusted basis during May were Leisure and Hospitality (1,800) and Government (600).
The poorest performing sectors during the month were Professional and Business Services (-700) and Construction (-1,100).
The best performing sectors during the last 12 months were Education and Health Services (13,700) and Government (10,200).
The poorest performing sectors during the last 12 months were Trade, Transportation, and Utilities (-1,700) and Professional and Business Services (-6,000).
Oklahoma Labor Force
The labor force participation rate is the percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population age 16 and older who are employed or actively looking for work.
The labor force participation rate in Oklahoma remained unchanged at 63.2 percent in May.
Oklahoma ranks 24th in the nation.
The 10-year high for the labor force participation rate in Oklahoma was 63.3 percent occurring in October 2023, and the 10-year low was 59.7 percent in April 2020.
The national labor force participation rate fell by 0.2 percentage points to 62.5 percent in May.